Phase Four: Early Images by Photographer Ed Kenney

According to photographer Ed Kenney he is in the fourth phase of his life journey, now focusing on his life-long passion of photography.  Ed’s solo photographic exhibition, “Fourth Phase: Early Images” is on display at Morso May 27 – June 20, 2011 with a Meet the Artist opening reception on Friday, May 27th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.

Ed describes his early affinity for photography as a casual connection.  As only Ed can say, “I’ve had a camera - of one sort or another – close at hand since grade school.   The first was a Kodak Hawkeye, but I was more fascinated by its gleaming good looks and mechanical nature than by any possible use in the creation of meaningful images.”

Ed converted his childhood infatuation to a passion since retiring from a long successful career in the biotechnology industry.  Owls Head, along Maine’s Central Coast, is Ed’s home with his wife Ruth, a couple of cats and the occasional fox family living under the porch.  His work is predominantly nature photography – mostly color and mostly landscape.   Ed said he went over to the “dark” (digital) side four years ago, and unabashedly confesses “I am in daily awe of the ability of electronic equipment to enhance capture, process and print.  In the interest of full disclosure, I continue to use – when the situation is right or the mood strikes me - an X-Pan II and an Arca Swiss 4x5.  My roots are in film, and the freezer in my basement contains several cartons of sheet film that will either be exposed or expire long after I do.”

The ability to travel to places that are considered “away” from Maine - such as Yellowstone, the Southwest, Patagonia, the Pacific Northwest – has a significant impact on his photographic output, but his heart is in Maine.  Ed is effusive about his home, “Living on the coast of Maine places me in the middle of a region and people that represent an endless supply of subject matter and inspiration.  Acadia, Pemaquid, Monhegan Island, and many other spots offer grand landscapes, but along this irregular three thousand mile coast there is a limitless constellation of subtle but exquisite evocations of nature’s beauty.”

Ed is an avid “birder”, known to travel from the Alaskan Pribilof Islands to the Rio Grande to Cape May for a chance to add a bird to his life list. He also has an insatiable love for all types of music, with a real passion for folk and Americana music. 

Ed’s collection of work that can be viewed at his website, http://www.ekenney.com/